Fact-checks added to posts on a Facebook news feed were found to reduce users’ acceptance of misinformation on the platform, according to a new study published in the Journal of Politics.
The study, conducted by assistant professors Ethan Porter of George Washington University and Thomas Wood of Ohio State University, simulated Facebook news feeds and administered a survey to gauge users’ accuracy in identifying misinformation. When the respondents were exposed to misinformation and subsequent fact-checks, the researchers found their ability to identify untrue posts improved.
The experiment was administered through two large and nationally representative population samples, and the respondents in one group were free to ignore the fact-checked information just as they could on the genuine platform. Porter told The Well News the findings were consistent among both conservative and liberal respondents.